July-August 1964

The cover photo from the St. Petersburg Times shows Thistles at Torpedo Junction from February 1964. The magazine notes there wasn't a photo submitted for the Spring or Summer Regattas for the cover.

Lowell North in San Diego, California answers reader questions about sailmaking, including changes in spinnaker design, fabric choices, leech line problems, heavy tabling, and new design features. This multi-part article covers technical sailing improvements and equipment modifications.

Twenty-eight Thistles from nine states participated in the Cotton Carnival Regatta at Memphis, Tennessee in May. Ilmar Palm-Leis won the overall championship, with various trophy presentations for King and Queen categories. The article details the challenging wind conditions and multiple races held over the weekend.

Catawba Yacht Club hosted a 3-race series on Lake Wylie, North Carolina in May. Includes detailed race results with wind conditions ranging from 12-17 mph and triangular course layouts. Shows competitive performance across multiple Thistle skippers.

Listing of upcoming Thistle regatta schedules across the East Coast, Midwest, and New Jersey District for the summer of 1964, including dates and locations.

LaFollette (1089) took the LaFollette (1089) invitational regatta held by newly chartered Prairie Thistle Fleet #111. Ted Himsworth (758) and others competed in challenging southwest winds. The article includes detailed race results showing competitive finishes.

Roger Brett (1481) won the Shreveport Yacht Club race at Cross Lake on May 2-3, a large fleet event with 162 boats including 25 Thistles. The races featured Olympic course configurations and tight competition, with detailed narrative of the sailing conditions and tactical decisions.

John Greene (1347) won three out of three races May 9-10 to become 1964 Champion for the San Diego Bay area. The Championship Series was held out of Coronado Yacht Club with races featuring light to moderate winds and competitive sailing among district participants.

A news flash from TCA President Ted Himsworth announcing eight new Thistle fleets chartered this year, expanding the class into new geographic regions including the Upper Savannah River valley, Baltimore, Lake Washington, and various locations in the South and West.

Brief news item about Thistle Promotion plan proposed by Herman Hoffman and published in the January-February 1964 issue of Bagpipe, which Iry Liggett helped launch. Includes reference to photos at St. Pete of the charter fleet that should be published.

Charles Darr sailing with Jack and Pas Baugh had a new sweep series May 9 and 10 at Lake Norman Yacht Club, North Carolina. This was the first time Darr skippered and the first time the Baughs ever sailed in a Thistle. Includes detailed race results showing Darr's winning performance.

Thistle #1 skippered by PAUKIE led a fleet of 39 around a square course at the annual DAMFULL Regatta at Leatherlips Y.C. June 13 & 14. The article details various skippers' performances and results, including notes about youth sailing and special achievements.

Thistle Fleet No. 76, Kaneobe Yacht Club, and fellow Corinthians of various Hawaii Yacht Clubs point to the next week's sailing. Aloha Week celebration in October 1964 reserves the full week on the calendar for the invitational. Details of accommodations and activities for visiting sailors are provided.

At the sixth National finish of the Pricque Isle Bay June 6-7 race series in 1964, the Carriage and Erie came from Monmouth with an unbeatable "hard trick" of finishing with an unbeatable final score. The Carling Trophy awarded for outstanding regatta performance shows consistent winning by top Thistle skipper.

A comprehensive table listing all Thistle National Championship winners from 1946 through 1962, showing the champion skipper, second place, third place, and location of each championship. Notable champions include G. Douglass, J. Lovett, and various other prominent Thistle sailors.

Detailed listing of trophy awards given at the 1963 Sayville Yacht Club National Championships, including awards for individual races, final positions, and special awards for outstanding achievements by skippers and crews.

Douglas Westin, Chairman of the Amendments Committee, reports on proposed changes to the TCA Constitution to address inconsistencies and modernize class rules. The report details specific article amendments and clarifications requested by the President's office.

Comprehensive article about the 1964 Nationals at Lake Erie, covering the Cleveland Yachting Club location, detailed weather and wave conditions expected, wind patterns, current behavior, and sailing strategies specific to the lake. Includes technical information about the racing location and environmental factors.

The two-division Bordes system created a need for additional trophies over the past two years. The TCA is grateful to donors of new trophies. Listed are specific trophy donors for each race division in the National Championships.

Fleet 21 of Leatherilps Yacht Club has proposed changes to spinnaker specifications to make installation easier and block exterior placement to the mast. The proposal aims to improve performance and reduce fouling, providing more insurance and better handling for competitive sailing.

After 17 years, the Thistle National Championships returned to the 1947 site at Cleveland Yachting Club on Rocky River, Ohio. The article describes improvements to the city and club facilities since the last championship, including access, moorings, and dining options in the downtown and suburban areas.

Listing of Cleveland Yachting Club Officers for 1964 and details of the Nationals Regatta Co-Chairmen, Chief Judge, and other key officials overseeing the championship event.

Detailed schedule of events for the 1964 Thistle National Championships at Cleveland, including registration, race times, skipper meetings, and social events from August 15-21, 1964.

Comprehensive listing of the National Race Committee, including the Chairman, co-chairmen, chief judge, and various race officials and committee members responsible for organizing and managing the 1964 Nationals.

Exactly one hundred years after a certain main named Sherman marched past Allatoona on his way to Atlanta and the sea, another Sherman, Ed Sherman Jr., piloted his Thistle around Lake Allatoona to win a regatta with impressive results, using his racing experience from prior seasons.

Long races and close finishes marked the 1964 Southern California District Championships held at Alamitos Bay Yacht Club. Gene Allen won the District title with consistent sailing, defeating Art Clissier and other competitors. The article includes comprehensive race results and details about close finishes.

A formal challenge to the Thistlers of Cowan from Fleet 21 to engage in a sailing competition. The challenge cites previous successful seasons and proposes a single-day event of maximum sailing with racing instructions and details for acceptance.

Response to Fleet 21's challenge from the Scioto Narrows (Fleet 65) sailing association. Molly Wilson recounts the Pre-Tuncup Smashup Challenge between the Cowan Lake Sailing Association and Leatherlips Yacht Club, discussing previous sailing statistics and defending their sailing practices against criticism.

Comprehensive article reviewing existing wearable life-saving equipment and regulations for Thistle racing. Detailed overview of TCA By-Laws requirements, Coast Guard Standards, and available commercial equipment options with specifications and pricing. Discusses new safety testing programs and future equipment developments.

Former District Champion Marshall Gates from Rochester Canoe Club won the 4th Annual Canacanoe Regatta, held June 6 & 7 at Canandaigua Yacht Club. The competition featured skilled skippers with Gates beating popular competitors like Walters and Flood. Detailed race results show competitive performances across multiple racers.

On Folsom Lake, May 30 and 31, Ralph Kelley successfully maneuvered his crew for a clear First place showing to boat SCOOBEE DOO for a class FIRST for a Northern California group. The regatta was also a dramatic demonstration to California skippers of the advantages of new ultra flat spinnakers under marginal reaching conditions.

Brief note about the hard-working TCA secretary handling administrative duties including hospital babysitting and checking the fleet roster for yearbook updates. Notes that crew addition Lisa arrived May 13 at 8:44 a.m., 7 lbs., 3 oz.

Proposal by James Lipscomb to investigate improving Thistle centerboards following observations about performance differences between boats. Discusses the beautifully shaped and finished centerboards observed at the Nationals and proposes a class committee examine the feasibility of adopting improved centerboard specifications for better performance.

Collection of classified advertisements for Thistle sailboats, insurance services, sailmaking materials, and related equipment. Includes listings for boats for sale, used sails, boat covers, and various marine services and products.